Edo University not to serve Oshiomhole’s interest

(Nigeria) Edo State Government has said that the new state university was not to serve the personal interest of any individual but the generality of the people, a statement from the Governor’s Office said on Thursday.

A statement by the Executive Director Media and Public Affairs, Governor’s office, Mr. John Mayaki, described the investment on Edo University as well informed, a progressive initiative, timely, auspicious and people-oriented.

According to Mayaki, “this clarification became necessary owing to the political slant that was recently laced with the investment by those I termed “political-bureaucrats or red tape” and their puerile media outing.

“There are no such amount too big, invested on education that can be said to be a waste. Not even the location of the University can be faulted except for wolfs in wolfs’ clothing who would argue blindly and blandly because the decision for the investment either outshined their paymasters or intentionally join the bandwagons for the sake of chewing their jaws.

“The decision for a new University is easily the most significant investment in education any progressive and futuristic government can think of. This type of initiative has the capacity to change the lives of those who live in the host area and beyond and lots of educational aspirations would have been made possible from that investment.

“No doubt, it would stimulate employment generation, urbanize localities, boost economies, infrastructure, and transport, healthcare and open its doors to the ever increasing cohorts of learning and degree seekers unable to secure admission due to inadequate space in the State-owned Ambrose Alli University among others.

“When you talk of the funding of the new University, don’t forget that it was built according to sustainability principles with great possibility for positive spin-offs for the state. It will encourage locals to seek for University education as an alternative to the Polytechnic in Auchi, Edo North Senatorial District.

“To argue that the new university is unwarranted is to be short-sighted or parochial and at best, to be an ethnic irredentist who argue blandly because it was not hosted in their birthplace. When former Governor Lucky Igbinedion conceptualized and built Stella Obasanjo Women and Children Hospital, there were ‘red tape’ who felt it was unnecessary; they do so because it was not located in their birthplace. They were not altruistic.

“It was a noble idea achieved by that administration; the question of abandoning Central Hospital in terms of manpower, equipment and funding were also on the table but that does not invalidate the fact that there was a need for a new hospital irrespective of its location.

“I like to think that we have a decent value system and as such must not be tempted by underhand tactics. Or else, if the University was hosted in your community of birthplace, would you argue against it? We must excuse reprobates and no-goods.

“I also like to think that if today must be better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today, we all, collectively, must strive for improvement and the Adams Oshiomhole led administration is in the forefront to achieving just that.

“If there is anything we should and must remove from our present system-forever-it would be what I termed ‘political bureaucracy’. The Oshiomhole led administration runs hot foot with fresh ideas but ‘red tape’ and political bureaucrats want government to stop. It’s like driving with one foot on the accelerator as evident with this government while political bureaucrats have a foot on the brake.

“The dualisation, expansion, beautification project of Airport Road is a spectacular case in point just as the new Edo State University. But Governor Oshiomhole is determined that we, the people, cannot be the helpless victims of these detractors and red tape, who have held us back. Red tape, not only exist in government, they abound in politics but we must rip down the red tape collectively.”